Rebooted 4 Wheel Parts Riverside Store Hitting on All Cylinders
The 4 Wheel Parts Riverside, California store held a November 9 event to celebrate its new, state-of-the-art design. The event featured exclusive onsite discounts, giveaways, installation deals, and free food and entertainment. Referred to as store 2.0, the layout signals the dawning of a new era for 4 Wheel Parts. The revamped location’s leading edge design has interactive, hands-on displays, thousands more products, and areas for customers to learn more about products.
So far, the reboot has met with overwhelming approval from customers. “We’ve had great feedback from the public since the new design,” says Riverside Store Manager Robb Hadden. “Customers tell me they love the interaction and being able to actually touch the products. One guy said it’s not like walking into a Pep Boys where you wander the aisles – it’s more like Disneyland.”
The Riverside location upped its inventory so there is more product in stock on the floor. “The store gives a unique shopping experience closely related to Apple stores,” says Brent Goegebuer, Transamerican Auto Parts’ Marketing Director. “Our customers are staying there longer to try different things.”
Throughout North America, 4 Wheel Parts has over 60 retail outlets selling everything from products for trucks to Jeep Wrangler parts and accessories. All locations, including the Riverside store, have service bays with onsite installation by ASE-trained technicians.

“This marks the start of our retail locations advancing from a parts-focused sales model to a solutions based model,” says Kevin Rourke, 4 Wheel Parts Director, e-Commerce and Internet Operations. “Our retail space has been re-conceptualized to empower customers with informational displays, more learning tools about products, and a more interactive experience.”
The Riverside 4 Wheel Parts store is on the verge of launching an online Google virtual tour of its showroom, allowing users to navigate the premises and service bays. The interactive tour will present high resolution images of off-road 4×4 parts and accessories that will be shareable via social media.

As most SoCalTrucks.com viewers have probably noticed, we don’t feature a lot of Jeeps. Not because we don’t like them, but it’s rare that we see a big, styled-out Jeep. Most Jeeps are functional, but usually lack style. This Jeep from SEMA though is different. When Ricardo Aguilar began pondering his build for SEMA 2012, he clearly had a vision. The Santa Ana, California native was confident a tough and rugged mini-Hum-Vee look would wow the crowds. That in mind, he chose a 2007, four-door, 4X4 Jeep Wrangler Sahara as his project vehicle.

Aware that time was limited, he was prepared to embark upon a project that demanded tons of work, cooperation of many, money and a heaping helping of creativity. Granted, the build would not prove a walk in the park, but he was on a mission and would have the vehicle ready to roll when the much anticipated SEMA event rolled around. He started with a Superlift suspension, which is okay, but then added a Magnuson Supercharger. Refusing to go any direction other than forward, Aguilar included dual moon-roofs and went with a Roto Wire interior. With the most difficult aspects of the build behind him, he focused on several other steps that would inevitably improve the Jeep’s aesthetics and power her performance.

For the project vehicle to perform to his specifications, he knew some mechanical issues had to be addressed. After making several modifications under the hood, he was confident the engine would run at it’s best if steps were taken to eliminate any unwanted restriction. That in mind, he installed a Gibson Dual Exhaust system. Confident he had deterred any possibilities that the exhaust wouldn’t flow freely, Aguilar then set his sights on ensuring an ample air flow would reach the engine. The cure was plain and simple. In fact, a hood with induction would actually serve two-fold. Not only would it increase the air flow, but the modification would lend to a cooler running engine.

While proper air flow was being considered, there was another decision to be made, which was a no-brainer. A K&N air filter would prove essential in trapping any foreign debris that might contaminate the internal components of the engine, while still allowing an optimal air flow to reach the intake. Paul Escobar, who played an essential role in the build and is employed by Topline Products, said in reference to K&N products, “I personally have a K&N filter on my dodge Ram. I have used K&N products since 1996, when I had my Camaro Z28. K&N products lend to more horsepower, and a better sounding engine.”

With the drive train completed, there were still a few modifications that would achieve Aguilar’s conviction to build the ultimate four wheel drive. Attaching front and rear bumpers, he then focused on lighting. He bolted a fifty-inch Wurton Light Bar first and then added Windshield lights and pod lights to the mix. Ricardo Aguilar then opted to install headlights, produced by JW Speaker. The lights are functional, but not the focus of the truck and don’t detract from all the other great things Ricardo had done.

After accentuating the body with a Wild Bore Hatchback, it was time to choose a modification that would prove essential in the vehicle’s overall look and abilities. Turning to Topline Products as a sponsor, it was time to pick tires and wheels. With the assistance of Topline, Aguilar went with V-Rock 20X9 off-road wheels wrapped with Nitto Mud-grapplers tires.

Although SEMA 2012 is now behind them, that is no indication that the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara that they showed will sit idle. In fact during their eight year tenure of SEMA events, Topline and the vehicles they have sponsored have seen their fair share of notoriety. They earned SEMA Global awards for five consecutive years for Verde Custom, Black Ice Alloys and Envy Style Wheels. They also won “Best New Wheel” at SEMA 2011. That in mind, although the SEMA 2012 build has not earned any awards yet, they are confident good things lurk farther down the road.

This is a great looking Jeep that we would be proud to own. Nice work Ricardo, K&N, Topline, Gibson and everyone else who contributed.

You won’t see many Jeep articles on SoCalTrucks.com, but since many lifted truck owners also own jeeps, we thought we’d post this informational article. Hope it’s helpful.

Rubicon Express has been manufacturing after-market Jeep and 4WD parts since 1996. Okay, that’s only 16 years, but in that time, they have really become a brand to be reckoned with. What makes this company special is that all of the employees drive Jeeps themselves. This means that they know the Jeeps inside and out. They know what upgrades are needed and most importantly, they know that when you upgrade a Jeep you never really finish. Some people say, “only a Jeep owner knows the feeling” and that definitely applies to companies who build Jeep products. Drivers are usually the harshest product critics, so a when a company like Rubicon Express has all of their employees driving Jeeps, you should expect quality products.

Rubicon Express specializes in suspensions and lifts kits. They know that if you have a 4WD, you will more than likely at some point want to upgrade your lift and suspension. Today, we will look at what is available for the Rubicon Express XJ.

Rubicon Express XJ Extreme Duty Long Arm
The difference between the long and short arm kits is that the longer control arms enables the vehicle to handle better but it also makes the torque roll lower and makes the trail traction better than the short arm suspensions. This completely replaces your stock suspension.

Extreme Duty Long Arm Upgrade
This is an upgrade kit for those who have already installed either the Super Flex or the Super Ride short arm. It enables you to greatly improve your road handling. Your performance will also improve off road. The amount of lift that you will get from this will depend on the original equipment that you are upgrading.

Super Flex Short Arm
If you drive a Cherokee and have a short arm factory suspension, this is a great upgrade for you. It features a low price, great trail and street performance. This is a very durable suspension that is said to be nearly indestructible.

Super Ride Short Arm
This suspension will make your ride more aggressive and higher, but it still allows you to retain the ride quality of your factory suspension. This exchanges the factory arms that are not very tough for the more durable ones without adding to the vibration or road noise.

Economy Kit
This is also known as the Rubicon Express 2’’ Standard and it is a very cheap and basic way to make your ride higher allowing for those larger wheels and tires you need for your 4WD. It offers outstanding performance and will allow for tire sizes up to a whopping 30’’.

So if you own a big truck and you have a Jeep for fun, consider lifting it. A lifted truck, SUV, or Jeep is always better than a stock one. Also, go to the 4WD website and see if they have what you need. It’s clear they have a ton of options and they stand for quality, which are two critical components when shopping for a suspension lift or other aftermarket products. As always, let us know what you think.

August 17, 2011 – Volcom is proud to announce their 3rd annual Give Jeans a Chance (GJAC) campaign as part of the Give Back Series, in partnership with the National Coalition for the Homeless. Give Jeans a Chance is a clothing drive that aims to raise awareness around homelessness and to collect 50,000 pairs of jeans and – new for this year – jackets, worldwide.

In addition to adding a jackets component to the drive, Volcom is also reaching out to individuals in the community to start their own drive by tapping into their social media network (approx. 1.5 million) to help meet the goal.

“We saw so many requests for ways to get involved and to collect jeans in different ways, that we knew we had to offer a way for individuals to contribute on a bigger scale,” said Floris Gierman, Volcom’s Director of Retail Marketing, and the campaign’s manager. “We’re excited to see the results we get back from the community.”

Participating in Volcom’s Give Jeans a Chance outreach is easy. Beginning September 1st, you will be able to donate jeans and jackets at approximately 500 of Volcom’s worldwide retail partners or you will be able to start your own GJAC drive in your community or school. Both options present a chance to give back and win something.

To donate, simply drop off your jeans or jackets in wearable condition (new or used) in the bin at a participating store and get a GJAC gift as a thank you for your contribution. While you’re there, you can enter to win a trip for two to visit the Volcom HQ in Costa Mesa, CA to be a part of their GJAC donation event, and receive $500 in Volcom gear. Additionally, 50 other winners will be randomly picked receive a pair of Volcom Brand Jeans.

If you’re an individual excited to start your own drive, there are prizes for you as well. Simply visit the Give Jeans a Chance website, and download all the tools you’ll need to start your own campaign. The campaign that receives the most attention and winning votes from the Volcom community will receive $1,500 to a school or non-profit of their choice along with $500 in Volcom gear and a commercial spot on Fuel TV.

“The Give Jeans and Jackets a Chance program is a meaningful part of our Give Back Series,” says Richard Woolcott, the company’s co-founder and CEO. “It’s a campaign that rallies the company, our retailers, and the community around a cause that truly deserves our attention. It’s a feel good, do right program, all the way around.”

All jeans donated will go to local homeless shelters, close to where they were collected. The drive lasts through October 31st, 2011 and you can learn more at Volcom.com/GiveJeansAChance.

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SoCal Says: We absolutely love this campaign that Volcom has launched. It’s great to see companies giving back and Volcom is doing just that.